A total of 133 orchestras and bands from local schools and community organisations will participate in the "2004 Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows" from Sunday (November 21) to December 27.

The annual "Hong Kong Youth Music Interflows", organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, includes the Symphony Orchestra Contest, String Orchestra Contest, Chinese Orchestra Contest and the Symphonic Band Contest.

The Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra contests will be held at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong Cultural Centre on Sunday. Sixteen symphony orchestras from local schools and community organisations will perform from 10am and 19 string orchestras will perform from 3pm.

The Chinese Orchestra contest has attracted 61 groups of contestants. The secondary school class with eight to 30 performers will perform at the Auditorium of Tuen Mun Town Hall on December 4 (Saturday) at 2pm. The primary school class will be held at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall on December 5 (Sunday) from 10am while secondary school class with more than 31 performers will be held at 3pm. Pipa soloist Ms Wong Ching will be the guest performer.

The Symphonic Band contest will be at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Primary school teams will join the contest on December 26 (Sunday) at 10am, while secondary school teams will perform on December 26 (Sunday) from 3pm, and December 27 from 10am.

There will also be a winners' final for the Symphonic Band contest on December 27 from 7.30pm. The Hong Kong Youth Symphonic Band and Assistant Principal Trombonist at the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Mr Terry Shiu will give guest performances.

Tickets priced at $20 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.